Dear Editor,
In 2015, the City of Bristow was approached by Jan Clark and her company Endeavor, and its bankers to partner to construct a new hospital building. City officials met with Endeavor and its bankers who explained that the USDA could provide low interest, non-recourse loans for rural hospital construction. The bankers assured city officials that if Bristow could present a favorable feasibility study, the USDA was sure to fund the loan. In fact, the bankers stated they had done many of these loans, and they would not participate unless they felt we were qualified. The city was told that its only out of pocket expense would be the feasibility study which would cost 50-75K. The city agreed to proceed.
As the project progressed, Jan asked the city to use some of the “hospital money” to start work on the architect’s plans so that the state’s approval process could be expedited. The city officials were assured that the cost of the plans was part of the project and would be reimbursed to the city when the loan was funded. On that basis the city continued to advance hospital money for construction designs. The plans ultimately cost over $2,000,000.
The USDA approval process drug on for two years, and eventually the city was advised that the USDA loan was not going to be approved. At this point, Endeavor asked the city to explore other options to borrow the money to build the hospital. City officials did not believe it prudent or practical for the citizens of Bristow to borrow 30 million dollars to construct a new rural hospital at a time when most rural hospitals are struggling to survive.
Recently Endeavor announced its plans to close Bristow Medical Center permanently. The city believes Endeavor’s actions violate prior commitments and damages its ability to partner with other organizations to continue access to health care in Bristow. The city has engaged attorneys to defend its position.
Finally, the record shows that the hospital sales tax was passed to fund the operations of the hospital when it was being operated by the city, prior to Endeavor taking over in 2014. The sales tax money cannot be legally used to fund the current loses of the hospital. Most of the additional money collected was spent on the plans for the new hospital at the request of Endeavor.
The Mayor and the Council are working diligently to find a solution to the current crisis with the hospital. They are hopeful that there are other opportunities available, however they continue to believe borrowing 30 million dollars to build a hospital is not the answer.
Stan Earnhardt
Bristow, Oklahoma